Elaphrus (Elaphrus) americanus Dejean 1831

Common.

This species has been collected from May to September.

This species is found in northern United States and across Canada. In Alberta this species has been collected throughout the southern half and at two localities in the extreme north.

Black, with more or less pronounced metallic lustre, usually greenish, sometimes brassy or bronzy, ocellate foveae often violaceous; tibiae almost constantly rufous. Punctuation of upper surfaec somewhat varying in density, notably on elytra, which as a rule have the smooth mirrors clearly developed in more than one row and often more or less confluent transversely. Side-margin of elytra moderately sinuate behind the shoulder. Post-femora at most with a single small seta dorsally near the tip. Head without central fovea. Male with three dilated protarsal segments. Length 7.1-8.6 mm.

Hygrophilous; occurring on moist/wet soil on/near the border of standing or slowly running water.

Overwinters in the adult stage.

Both larvae and adults are predatory.

Elaphrus americanus is a species of ground beetle in the subfamily Elaphrinae. It was described by Pierre François Marie Auguste Dejean in 1831.